The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-12-09
CULTURE OF OLIVES.


The Successful Experiments Tried NJ
Pacific Coast Farm.
To the already considerable area Of
Santa Clara County lands planted tn
olives a large acreage will be added.
our soil and climate being especially
adapted to their production. The Quito
olive farm. seven miles west of San
Jose. is one of the show places of the
county. and a brief reference thereto
may not be unacceptable to strangers
who propose to visit this county. as it
IS but a sample of what can be done in
any portion of our domain.
1t was planted in 1865 by Senior Don
Jose Ramon Argucllo. who was then
the owner Of the Quito ranch. He first
planted but hundred trees. but their
thrifty growth induced him, two years
later, to add to this planting. and. in
imitation Of the methods of European
countries. to set out grapevines be-
tween the trees. Death overlook Don
Jose. however. before he had realized
his anticipations in regard to this great
work. His estate was divided and
passed into other hands. and in Decem-
Der, 1882, it came into possession of the
present proprietor, Edward E. Good
rich.
From the death of Don Jose up tc
the purchase by Mr.. Goodrich the plan.
tation has been much neglected. The
trees. however. had grown iuxuriantly.
and having been planted only sixteen
and half feet apart had become ST
crowded rs to suffer seriously from the
lack of air and sunshine. MIR.
Goodrich determined to thin them out
by transplanting half of them to an adj
joining plat
1t was generally supposed that trees
of this age and size could not be trans
planted and live. but the experiment
was made and with most gratifying re-
suits. Twelve hundred and fifty trees
Of from nine to eighteen years of age
were thus removed. all of which. ex-
cepting about twenty-five, which were
not in good condition at the time of re-
moval. have again rooted and are again
bearing heavily. The success of this
transplanting proves the especial adap-
tabilityof the soil and climate of Santa
Clara County for the growth of the
olive.
From this time the Onto olive farm
became productive. and its oil has won
the highest encOmiums from connOis-
seurs as well as having received the
first premium for American olive
oil at the New Orleans exposition.
In all the paintings the Spanish
italian system of planting grapes be-
tween the trees has been adhered tn.
and the whole tract is now solid olive
orchard and vineyard. except small
portion which is reserved for the
dwelling house. oil mill. winery and
other accessories. The place contains
1900 olive trees, $1,000 vines and .
nursery of $500 young olives. During
the last four years the work on the
place has been that of restoration and
development. and the production of oil
or olives in pickle has been secondary
consideration, but even under these cir.
cumstances the product has yielded 4
handsome revenue; and those who have
investigated the subject consider this
branch of fruit growing to be one of the
most profitable in which it is possible
to engage. The variety grown on the
Quito ranch and most highly favored
by experts is know here as the ennis.
sion." 1t is one of the best oil varieties
and corresponds with the oil and olives
of the noted Riviera and Luchese dis
tricts of Italy. and the Avignon and
Riviera districts Of France.-San Jose
Cor. San Francisco ChrOnc'e e.